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How Sydney is doing..

As many of you know, I wrote about Sydney having to be rushed to the ER 2 months ago. The reason for this emergency was his body wasnít getting enough oxygen and his abdomen was filling with fluids again. Also, he had a very severe staph infection all over his body. My opinion is that he couldnít fight both heart disease and the staph infection and that his body decided it had enough. The funny thing is, he came and alerted us to this in a way he only does in distress and I firmly believe that even though his body gave up his mind didnít and thatís why he is still here today.

He has had a marked improvement since then, still having good days and bad days, but the good days seem to have outnumbered the bad. His energy level has increased, his appetite has always been good, but it seems like heís enjoying his food more rather than just eating.

On the down side, he has had a somewhat bad week. I am seeing things Iím a little concerned and worried about. In another post, I wrote how he was having trouble with is hind legs when trying to stand. Itís more than just slipping on the hard floors now. I have taken precautions with towels and throw rugs to keep him as safe as I can. Just recently, he is actually having trouble moving his legs to stand, even on carpeting. The other day I had to boost him up as his rear legs couldnít do it. After walking around for awhile, his front left leg seemed to pull up and jerk around. It was like he had no control of its movements. He wasn't able to get that leg down to walk. He was in a perplexed state (as was I) as to why this was happening. It took about an hour before all was normal again. However, I can see that there are still problems going on with the rear legs. I also hear a scraping sound sometimes when he walks as though he is dragging is paw on the pavement. The other thing is that, for no reason I could tell, he vomited several times last week.

We are going to the cardiologist on Friday for his 2 month check up and I will bring up these issues. Not sure if any of them are related to his heart. He does have arthritis down the length of his spine, so the leg problems could be related to that.

I've been thinking of you and sydney. I am pleased to hear that the good has outweighed the bad. I can't give you any words of advice but it seems like you are asking all the right questions and with the bad week, I'm sure you are glad to see the cardiologist Friday.

Oliver has spondylosis (osteoarthritis) in his spine - though only in about 3 vertebrae at the top (almost directly over his small syrinx!). The first symptoms of this were very wobbly back legs. With strict bed rest, he now has no problems, though I am always aware that his spine is vulnerable (no more squeezing under gates or climbing sand dunes!). I think you need to talk to your vet about it - and perhaps give him some crate rest in the meantime? If he's got these problems it may not be terribly good for him to keep trying to walk. Cavaliers are also quite prone to disc problems. I've only known these walking difficulties coming from heart problems in the last stages of congestive heart failure, and it doesn't sound as if Sydney is quite at that stage yet. So perhaps worth looking at bones as well as heart?

You certainly are having a rough time of it. Just wanted to let you know we're thinking of you and sending positive healing thoughts your way. I hope everything gets sorted with the cardiologist and you get some answers for Sydney and yourself.

Desrae, guardian of two tri-coloured cavaliers, Belle 3 years old and Bobby 1 year/8 months.

Oh I am thinking of you and Sydney!! I have no advice on the medical side as other are much more suited to help you with that, but I just wanted to let you know that Brooklyn and I are thinking of Sydney and sending our love his way!! Big paw hugs to you both and I hope you find some answers/advice soon.

This is wonderful news, I am so happy for sweet Sydney. There is a lot to deal with, but you are doing so well and I am thrilled about his heart. What a trooper. Sydney goes through so much, but just takes it in stride...bless him

***ANOTHER UPDATE***
Well, we got the results of all the blood work done on Friday. His liver value has almost doubled which is not horrible but not good either. We will continue to keep an eye on that. The other levels were all in the normal ranges, except for the digoxin.

This one is the most concerning one as his digoxin level has doubled and is now over the high/normal range. As this can be toxic, we are reducing his digoxin and next week we will do another blood test. I'm really worried about this and this affects his kidneys. The way I understand it, is that we may be close to being at a point where we can keep his heart going strong at the expense of other organs.